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Add the Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game to the growing list of local sports events canceled due to the coronavirus.

The Delaware Foundation Reaching Citizens with intellectual disabilities made the decision on Thursday.

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Gabe Wescott of Woodbridge comes down with a one-handed touchdown catch during the Gold team's 38-24 win in the 2019 DFRC Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game last June at Delaware Stadium.(Photo: WILLIAM BRETZGER, The News Journal)

The 65th annual event had been scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff on June 19 at Delaware Stadium. The game showcases 72 of the state’s top high school senior football players, with the Gold team comprising mostly players from Kent and Sussex counties and the Blue team made up of all-stars from New Castle County.

The game also highlights all-star cheerleaders, marching band members and school ambassadors from around the state. All participants also are part of DFRC’s Hand-in-Hand program, which matches the participants with “buddies” – children with intellectual disabilities – for months of pregame activities that often build longtime friendships.

“It is a shame for everybody,” said Middletown’s Zach Blum, who had been set to be head coach of the Gold team. “… But having a good understanding of what the health risks are, above and beyond what they are for everyone else, for the buddies, that is certainly important.

“Blue-Gold has always said it’s bigger than the game, and I think this is a reminder that it is. I’m disappointed for the senior football players and the senior cheerleaders, and I know it’s something that the buddies look forward to.”

Blum had been scheduled to coach against his brother, A.I. du Pont’s Zeb Blum, who was to be head coach of the Blue team. Zach Blum said he would still like to see all the participants in the 2020 game be honored, perhaps with the players and cheerleaders returning for introductions at the 2021 game.

“We’d love to find ways to include the young people who missed out on the experience this year,” Zach Blum said.

Some of the other events surrounding the game were postponed. The Sussex Auction scheduled for March 28 has been moved to Sept. 25. The Southern Delaware Golf Classic scheduled for July 17 has been pushed to Aug. 28. The New Castle County Golf Classic scheduled for June 8 will be reset on a date to be announced.